Page 227 - The Story of My Lif

In the fall Miss Keller entered Radcliffe College.

TO MR. JOHN HITZ

14 Coolidge Ave., Cambridge,

Nov. 26, 1900.

…— has already communicated with you in regard to her and my plan of
establishing an institution for deaf and blind children.

At first I was most enthusiastic in its support, and I never dreamed that any grave

objections could be raised except indeed by those who are hostile to Teacher, but
now, after thinking most SERIOUSLY and consulting my friends, I have decided
that —‘s plan is by no means feasible. In my eagerness to make it possible for
deaf and blind children to have the same advantages that I have had, I quite
forgot that there might be many obstacles in the way of my accomplishing
anything like what — proposed.

My friends thought we might have one or two pupils in our own home, thereby
securing to me the advantage of being helpful to others without any of the
disadvantages of a large school. They were very kind; but I could not help
feeling that they spoke more from a business than a humanitarian point of view. I
am sure they did not quite understand how passionately I desire that all who are
afflicted like myself shall receive their rightful inheritance of thought,
knowledge and love. Still I could not shut my eyes to the force and weight of
their arguments, and I saw plainly that I must abandon —‘s scheme as
impracticable.

They also said that I ought to appoint an advisory committee to control my
affairs while I am at Radcliffe. I considered this suggestion carefully, then I told
Mr. Rhoades that I should be proud and glad to have wise friends to whom I
could always turn for advice in all important matters. For this committee I chose
six, my mother, Teacher, because she is like a mother to me, Mrs.